Flyers-Blue Jackets Preview: Laughton Returns to Lineup

As the final weeks of the season progress, there are plenty of changes to come with the Flyers lineup. Players will be given a chance to experience new roles and there will be experimentation done with some new faces to come in.

For the last few games, everything has remained relatively similar of late, but the Flyers will get one face back in the lineup on Tuesday night as they open up a home-and-home with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Columbus Blue Jackets	GP	G	A	P
Cam Atkinson	69	23	27	50	Patrick Laine	51	25	27	52
Travis Konecny	66	12	31	43	Jake Voracek	67	5	46	51
Joel Farabee	51	16	17	33	Oliver Bjorkstrand	68	24	26	50
James van Riemsdyk	69	17	13	30	Boone Jenner	59	23	21	44
Scott Laughton	54	11	17	28	Zach Werenski	61	11	32	43

Scott Laughton returns to the lineup for the first time since March 10 when he suffered a head injury against the Panthers. Laughton has been one of the team's leaders throughout the season and figures to be looked upon in that role for the remainder of the season.

Jake Voracek has been among the Columbus leaders in points and certainly leads the way with 46 assists. He's got four points in his last five games and looks to continue a stretch where he has produced eight points in the last nine games.

Carter Hart gets back in net for the Flyers. Hart was on the hook for the loss on Saturday, allowing six goals on 28 shots against Toronto. Hart has allowed four goals or more in seven of his last nine starts.

Elvis Merzlikins gets the start for Columbus. Merzlikins was in goal on Monday night in Boston, taking an overtime loss despite making 34 saves on 37 shots. Merzlikins has not won a game since March 16.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Seeler (injury), Zack MacEwen (injury), Hayden Hodgson (healthy), Kevin Connauton (healthy)

Blue Jackets Scratches: Alexandre Texier (injury), Boone Jenner (injury), Joonas Korpisalo (injury), Yegor Chinakhov (injury), Gabriel Carlsson (healthy), Dean Kukan (healthy), Gavin Bayreuther (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: The Flyers get Scott Laughton back in the lineup and Hayden Hodgson will come out. Keith Yandle also comes back into the lineup for Kevin Connauton. No other changes are being made.
Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets will use the same lineup as on Monday night in Boston.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (32nd), Blue Jackets (25th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (24th), Blue Jackets (20th)
Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
- Jan. 20, 2022 - Blue Jackets 2, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Blue Jackets
- Travis Konecny - 16 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 P
- Kevin Hayes - 22 GP, 8 G, 12 A, 20 P
- James van Riemsdyk - 24 GP, 10 G, 9 A, 19 P
- Carter Hart - 3 GP, 1-2-0, 2.39 GAA, .909 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.